anxiety or menopause or both!

[scoobdoob]

Hi. I am 44 and since my last baby 4 years ago have been diagnosed with anxiety. Dizzy, spaced out, hot flushes. Sometimes just need to get away. My periods are getting closer together or more regular than they have ever been. Probably heavier as well, but they have always been pretty heavy.

I noticed that lots of people list anxiety as a peri menopause symptom. What does your anxiety feel like?
Today my face started to burn, I felt sicky and started to panic as I was out with the kids on my own. It did pass but left me feeling shaky. I get awful, can be continuous palpitations. I have seen a cardiologist about 2 years ago who said they were benign. Offered beta blockers but I declined as if I knew they were harmless I would try and ignore them. I did for a while but they are worse than ever now.

I also have gastric issues. Started about 18 months ago. Bowels open more regularly. Often heartburn waking me at night. Have seen a doctor regarding this.

I am sick of feeling rubbish most days. Either dizziness, head pressure, indigestion, heartburn, bowels, abdominal pain (from central burning to groin pain) palpitations or anxiety.

so if you have got to the end! Does anyone else feel like me?? Could it be peri menopause or lots of different things or genuine anxiety.
I know no one can tell me for sure. Just wondered if anyone had anything like me?
Thanks

[Littlemissnutmeg]

Most definately perimenopause i would say!! I'm only 38 but was diagnosed as borderline menopausal when i was 37. My symptoms match yours exactly! I have terrible anxiety and panic attacks, which seem worse at night. My hands and feet sweat, i feel sick and dizzy, my throat dry and tight and my heart races away like crazy. Called an ambulance one night as i was so scared!! Iv'e always suffered from Irritable bowel, well since my late 20s, but it's got much worse this past few months. I'm burping and passing wind all the time, feel bloated and often have indigestion.

[scoobdoob]

Oh thanks so much for your reply. Makes me feel so much better. I sometimes feel I am really going mad.
I was never anxious before. Especially about my own health and now I feel im a hypochondriac!

Yes night is worse. My sleep pattern is also awful now.
Thanks again

[BigPawsBrown]

Sounds just like anxiety and panic attacks (hot, needing to get away, it passes but feel shakey after). I work by the rule of thumb that of you feel anxiety it's anxiety! No idea if caused by peri menopause but could try some CBT?

[Littlemissnutmeg]

I have night sweats too and my periods have become irregular and shorter and lighter than they were before. If i were you i would make a doctor's appointment and ask for bloods to be done that test your hormone levels. These can tell you if your'e headed toward menopause. I'd say it's a dead cert that you are. Last week my doctor prescribed me medication for anxiety and HRT. Today i was out with my daughter's and i felt a panic attack coming and i felt myself starting to go hot. It was awful, i just wanted to run and get to the safety of the car. I just told myself to be calm and after about 10 minutes it passed but all day iv'e felt weak and exhausted. This menopause business really is a womans worst nightmare!

[Littlemissnutmeg]

I tried CBT but i do think anti depressants work best alongside CBT. Have yet to try the HRT.

[scoobdoob]

I have had cbt a few years ago. Following a traumatic birth and it definitely did help. I am able to function better now. Its just this constant "unwell with something" feeling.

Have had lots of blood tests done. But not hormone levels. Couldnt have hrt due to breast cancer risk in family.
But thanks it certainly helps to talk about it.

and the poster who called an ambulance. I have been just about many times. Especially the heartburn that starts in my shoulder and then sweating then chest burning. Classic heart attack symptoms!!!
I drive myself mad.

[Littlemissnutmeg]

I felt a right fool, thinking i was having a heart attack, got to the hospital and nothing wrong! I never used to be such a nutcase until all this perimenopause stuff kicked in! Had a heart monitor fitted for a few days a couple of weeks ago and results were fine. Feel free to PM me anytime if you wish to chat. Hope you can get yourself sorted soon and start to feel better.

[scoobdoob]

Thank you and i will pm you sometime if thats ok. Its lovely to know someone understands. None of my friends seem to have these feelings at all. Not that they admit anyway.
You saying I never used to be such a nutcase made me smile because I say that daily!
I have had 2 monitors and an exercise ecg. But still I have this feeling......

[furlinedsheepskinjacket]

me too op
I have been prescribed meds for anxiety but I am sure it is meno related
def same symptoms with mine I was waking up hot and cold chills and racing heartbeat
I bloody hate the menopause

[Littlemissnutmeg]

Ok, be lovely to chat. None of my friends understand either, a couple of them actually laughed telling me not to be so silly as i'm way too young for menopause! Well, i'm off to drag my weary body to bed although i dread nightimes because i nearly always have a panic attack/night sweat. Woke up feeling sick with my chest dripping with sweat last night, yuck. Scary isn't it. Take care and hope you sleep well tonight.

[1966gettingold]

Yes perimeno, I thought I was going mad this week, how I wasn't admitted to a physiatrics ward is a miracle. Visit a forum called menopause matters lots of women the same, it is my saviour at the moment, plus my fantastic hubby and gp. It's a horrid time, the gp said it is like teenage hormones, pregnancy hormones and the meno all at once.

[1966gettingold]

Yes peri, how I wasn't admitted to a physiatrics ward this week is a miracle, gp said it is like teenage hormones and pregnancy and meno all at once.

Visit a forum called menopause matters great support, we all go mad together.

[fidelma]

I never had anxiety before but it has hit me like a bullet! It comes in waves. I too wake in the night with a pain in my chest and racing heart nearly went to hospital but it settled when I got up. I keep thinking there MUST be something seriously wrong with me.
I have had sore hands a lot. I also got this after giving birth for a few months. My joints and muscles ache. They used to just before AF would arrive but it's much more frequent now. We are not alone. Thanks for sharing, it really helps.

[fidelma]

Thinking about HRT

[thornrose]

I have started suffering with anxiety for the first time in my life at 47 and I'm convinced it's peri menopause.

I often think I'm going to have a heart attack but I know deep down its anxiety. I had pains in my left arm recently and got in a state but I can breathe through it.

I cut out caffeine which helped, I need to cut out alcohol now!

[Littlemissnutmeg]

I have my prescription for HRT but i'm reluctant to take it just yet. Think i'm going to start with the anti depressants for a few months first and see how i go. Iv'e taken them in the past and they do help with my anxiety and panic.

[Littlemissnutmeg]

I wish i was in my 40s and going through menopause. I know it's a horrible thing to go through at any age but at 38 i feel way too young. Thought ladies in their 30s were meant to be in their prime! Had also hoped for another baby before i hit 40.

[scoobdoob]

Thanks for all the replys. It does seem as we are all getting very similar symptoms. I am convinced something terrible is wrong.
Horrible hormones

[fidelma]

fHS 5.5!
Exploring other causes. Hope you all have as peaceful journey as possible x

[1966gettingold]

Re your fish level, it is notoriously unreliable and lots of Drs won't even test for it because our hormones at this stage are literally changing every hour plus, you said you felt good when you had your test, that was probably your hormones behaving themselves. I would bet my bottom dollar you are peri. They also should be done over three days at a certain time of the month if they are going to do them. The peri time is the worst for our hormones, it is like being a teenager, pregnant and the peri at the same time. Check out www.menopausematters